Editor,
This Election Day, each of us has a unique opportunity to vote on a humanitarian issue that can prevent unspeakable cruelty to animals on state lands. The race for state land commissioner pits Jim Baca, a strong environmentalist, against incumbent Pat Lyons, a rancher whose financial support comes largely from big oil and gas interests.
A significant point of contention between the two candidates is the use of steel-jaw leghold traps and other clamp-type animal traps on New Mexico public land. Lyons continues to approve their use, while Baca has pledged to ban them on all 9 million acres of state trust land.
Animals captured in these devices die a lingering death of excruciating pain and fear, often chewing off their feet in the process. Baca has stated that once you've seen an animal that has been stuck for days in one of these traps, it's a sight you don't forget for the rest of your life.
It is well-known that there are more efficient and less cruel methods - including humane traps - of controlling predators than through the use of outdated contraptions that inadvertently capture nontargeted wildlife and household pets, including hunting dogs.
A vote for Baca is a vote to eliminate the brutal steel leghold traps that cause tremendous and unnecessary animal suffering. It's up to all concerned citizens to come out on Tuesday and vote their conscience. The animals can't speak out, but we can.
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Celina Levine
Daily Lobo reader
